Hampshire County Council will launch a public consultation later this month on proposed updates to its School Transport Policy and Post-16 Transport Policy for the 2026/27 academic year.
Most of the proposed changes are designed to make both policies clearer and easier to understand. However, one key proposal is the withdrawal of the formal Spare Capacity Seats scheme — the paid, non-guaranteed option that allows non-eligible pupils to take up spare seats on contracted school transport routes.
The council says that as vehicles are now being used more efficiently to meet the needs of eligible pupils, spare seats are becoming increasingly rare. While the formal scheme would end, the authority says it could still allocate seats in exceptional cases at its discretion.
The School Transport service will continue to meet all statutory duties for eligible pupils aged 5–16, and no cost savings are expected from the proposed changes.
For post-16 learners, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the consultation will cover the usual annual update to the policy. There is no automatic entitlement to council-funded transport after the age of 16, but Hampshire continues to provide discretionary support in specific circumstances.
How to take part
The consultation will run from 20 October to 30 November 2025. Parents, carers, schools, and education providers in Andover and across Hampshire will be able to share their views via the council’s online consultation hub once it goes live. Alternative formats will be available on request.
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